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61ST WESTSTAR DON HASKINS SUN BOWL INVITATIONAL CONTINUES December 22, 2022

EL PASO, Texas – The 61st Annual WestStar Don Haskins Sun Bowl Invitational continues with the Consolation and Championship games set to tipoff at 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. (MT) respectively in the Don Haskins Center.

After mid-major powerhouse Kent State (9-3) defeated New Mexico State (6-5) in game one by the score of 73-63. The Golden Flashes will face local school, UTEP, in the Championship Game of the Annual Holiday Tournament. The Miners took on a tough North Carolina A&T (5-7) team and took down the Aggies 75-62 for the chance to hoist up the WestStar Don Haskins Sun Bowl Invitational trophy.

“What a great first day of college basketball we all got to watch in this awesome holiday tournament,” said Executive Director Bernie Olivas. “The competition level is very high and it shows on the court. We are grateful to our Title Sponsor, WestStar, for continuing to support this tournament.”

This marks the third time Kent State and UTEP will face off in the WestStar Don Haskins Sun Bowl Invitational Championship game. The Golden Flashes won the title in 1999, defeating UTEP 90-80. The Miners got revenge in 2014 when they defeated Kent State 78-75. The Golden Flashes are now 5-2 all-time in the Don Haskins Sun Bowl Invitational.

Tip-off for the WestStar Don Haskins Sun Bowl Championship is set for 7:30 p.m. (MT).

The Consolation game between North Carolina A&T and the Aggies of NM State is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. (MT), while both games can be seen on Sun Bowl Association’s YouTube page.

RECAPS FROM DAY ONE

Game One
Kent State was able to overcome foul trouble to beat New Mexico State 75-62 while Malique Jacobs led the Golden Flashes and all scorers with 17 points. Sincere Carry also chipped in 15 points and played tough defense, grabbing four steals.

NM State fell behind by as many as 15 points in the second half but clawed back and got to within one point. Aggie forward Issa Muhammad helped to kick start the potential comeback and finished the night with 17 points.

The Aggies held the Flashes to 40-percent shooting from the field while putting up 16 second chance points, but that was not enough as Kent State took the victory to head into the Championship game.

Game Two
The UTEP Miners followed the lead of Shamar Givance and Derick Hamilton to defeat North Carolina A&T 75-62 in the second game of the WestStar Don Haskins Sun Bowl Invitational. Givance tallied 18 points, all in the second half while Hamilton worked hard in the paint putting up 11 points and halting the NC A&T momentum at key moments of the game.

The Miners were able to pull off the victory by shooting 50-percent from the field, while holding the Aggies to under 40-percent from the floor. The Miners shot well from the free throw line hitting 14-of-19 attempts.

UTEP takes on Kent State at 7:30 p.m. (MT) in the Don Haskins Center for the Championship Game of the 61st Annual WestStar Don Haskins Sun Bowl Invitational.

Thursday, Dec. 22, 2022
5:30 p.m. – Consolation Game (NM State vs. North Carolina A&T)
7:30 p.m. – Championship Game (Kent State vs. UTEP)
In the Don Haskins Center

Games available on YouTube: @SunBowlAssociation

NC A&T v UTEP Box Score 12 21 22

NM State vs Kent State Box Score – 12 21 22

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